Bo Bichette’s future in the infield is starting to take shape-and it might not be at shortstop.
As one of the more intriguing names on the 2025-26 free agent market, Bichette has reportedly told interested teams that he’s open to moving off short. That’s a significant shift for the Blue Jays’ homegrown star, who’s played his entire MLB career at the position. But as the market takes shape, it’s becoming clear that flexibility could be the key to unlocking more opportunities-and more dollars.
According to a report from MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand, Bichette has started telling teams he’s willing to sign as a second baseman. It’s not a shocking development, but it does open the door for clubs that may have been hesitant due to their current shortstop situation. And let’s be honest: most of the teams in the market for a high-end middle infielder already have someone they trust at short.
That’s where Bichette’s defensive profile comes into play. While he’s been a steady presence for Toronto, the defensive metrics haven’t always been kind.
Since 2023, Bichette ranks near the bottom of the league in some key categories at shortstop-posting a -15 Outs Above Average and a -11 Defensive Runs Saved, which places him among the bottom ten in both metrics. The issue hasn’t been his glove so much as his arm.
While he’s only made 11 fielding errors in close to 3,000 innings over that span, he’s also tied for ninth in throwing errors with 16.
His arm strength grades out as league average, and his range has taken a step back in recent seasons. That’s a tough combo for a shortstop, where quickness and arm talent are non-negotiables.
But second base? That’s a different story.
Shorter throws, more time to set your feet, and a slightly less demanding range requirement make it a logical fit for someone with Bichette’s skill set.
This wouldn’t be the first time a shortstop made the switch to second in order to land a big deal. Just ask Marcus Semien.
During the 2020-21 offseason, Semien was coming off a down year in the shortened COVID season and couldn’t find a long-term home at short. The Blue Jays offered him a one-year deal-on the condition he’d move to second.
He responded with a monster 45-homer season, the most ever by a second baseman, and parlayed that into a seven-year, $175 million deal with the Rangers.
That’s the blueprint Bichette could be following. He’s three years younger than Semien was at the time of his deal, and while his glove may draw questions, his bat does plenty of talking.
In every full season he’s been healthy, Bichette has posted at least 18 homers, 175 hits, and an OPS north of .800. That’s consistent, impact-level production-exactly what teams want in the top half of their lineup.
Even if the shortstop market isn’t wide open for him, the second base path could give Bichette more suitors-and more leverage. Early projections have him in the five-year, $150 million range, but if a bidding war gets going, it’s not out of the question that a team stretches that into a six- or seven-year deal, especially one that values his marketability and offensive ceiling. The Blue Jays, for instance, could be tempted to keep him around long-term as one of the franchise faces alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
At one point, there was chatter that Bichette might be eyeing a deal in the $200 million ballpark. While that may be a stretch given the current market dynamics, the Semien comp-seven years, $175 million-feels like a realistic ceiling if Bichette’s open to a position change.
Bottom line: Bo Bichette’s bat is going to play. That much is clear.
And by embracing a move to second base, he’s giving himself a better shot to cash in-and giving teams a reason to take a second look. The shortstop market may be tight, but the second base door just swung wide open.